Ken Henry's top reform: the environment, not tax
Henry, whose white paper for Labor in 2010 remains the most recognised template for tax reform, will tell the National Press Club on Wednesday that the country's productivity challenge faces no greater imperative than overhauling the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Skipper plans to appeal conviction for creating waves at Labor Party fundraiser
A power boat skipper who targeted a century-old passenger ferry carrying Labor Party MPs as part of a protest against the party's offshore wind policy has been convicted and fined $500. Jared Luke Banek, 47, who previously pleaded guilty to interfering with the use of the Port Stephens waterway, indicated that he would appeal the sentence. Labor senator Deborah O'Neill, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and about 50 Labor party supporters were aboard the 102-year-old Wangi Queen in waters off Lemon Tree Passage to raise money for then Port Stephens mayoral candidate Leah Anderson on August 11 last year. Two federal police officers were also on board. A number of anti-wind farm protesters were in the vicinity when the ferry left the Lemon Tree Passage wharf at about 10.30am. Facts tendered to the court said Mr Banek attended the area to protest in his 17.5m power boat, Reel Issues. Mr Banek, who had three passengers on board, made the first of three passes of the Wangi Queen at 11.33am The first two passes created wakes of about a metre while the third wake was less than a metre. The skipper was forced to take evasive action on each occasion in order to minimise the wakes' impact. Several of those on board the ferry said they were alarmed as the vessel rolled when the waves struck. The Wangi Queen skipper contacted the water police following the first pass to complain about the conduct of Reel Issues and a number of smaller vessels that were swarming the vessel. Reel Issues was intercepted, and Mr Banek was spoken to. He was later charged with menacing navigation, reckless navigation and negligent navigation. Mr Banek pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were subsequently withdrawn in June. Instead, he pleaded guilty to the lesser, rarely used charge of operating a vessel in a manner that interferes with the use of waters under the Marine Safety Act 1998. The maximum penalty for the offence is a $5500 fine. Raymond Terrace Local Court heard on Thursday that Mr Banek was of prior good character and had held a maritime licence for 32 years. Seven references attested to his volunteer work in the community and involvement in maritime rescue operations. Despite that, Magistrate Gregory Moore said Mr Banek's actions towards Wangi Queen were not a trivial matter. "I do not regard it as trivial. I regard it as a serious example of this type of offending," he said. Mr Banek told the Newcastle Herald that he planned to appeal the sentence because an expert maritime report, which showed the Wangi Queen had not been placed in danger during the protest, had not been taken into account. "The truth is going to come out," he said. Mr Banek's boating licence, which was suspended following the incident, was reinstated in June. A power boat skipper who targeted a century-old passenger ferry carrying Labor Party MPs as part of a protest against the party's offshore wind policy has been convicted and fined $500. Jared Luke Banek, 47, who previously pleaded guilty to interfering with the use of the Port Stephens waterway, indicated that he would appeal the sentence. Labor senator Deborah O'Neill, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and about 50 Labor party supporters were aboard the 102-year-old Wangi Queen in waters off Lemon Tree Passage to raise money for then Port Stephens mayoral candidate Leah Anderson on August 11 last year. Two federal police officers were also on board. A number of anti-wind farm protesters were in the vicinity when the ferry left the Lemon Tree Passage wharf at about 10.30am. Facts tendered to the court said Mr Banek attended the area to protest in his 17.5m power boat, Reel Issues. Mr Banek, who had three passengers on board, made the first of three passes of the Wangi Queen at 11.33am The first two passes created wakes of about a metre while the third wake was less than a metre. The skipper was forced to take evasive action on each occasion in order to minimise the wakes' impact. Several of those on board the ferry said they were alarmed as the vessel rolled when the waves struck. The Wangi Queen skipper contacted the water police following the first pass to complain about the conduct of Reel Issues and a number of smaller vessels that were swarming the vessel. Reel Issues was intercepted, and Mr Banek was spoken to. He was later charged with menacing navigation, reckless navigation and negligent navigation. Mr Banek pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were subsequently withdrawn in June. Instead, he pleaded guilty to the lesser, rarely used charge of operating a vessel in a manner that interferes with the use of waters under the Marine Safety Act 1998. The maximum penalty for the offence is a $5500 fine. Raymond Terrace Local Court heard on Thursday that Mr Banek was of prior good character and had held a maritime licence for 32 years. Seven references attested to his volunteer work in the community and involvement in maritime rescue operations. Despite that, Magistrate Gregory Moore said Mr Banek's actions towards Wangi Queen were not a trivial matter. "I do not regard it as trivial. I regard it as a serious example of this type of offending," he said. Mr Banek told the Newcastle Herald that he planned to appeal the sentence because an expert maritime report, which showed the Wangi Queen had not been placed in danger during the protest, had not been taken into account. "The truth is going to come out," he said. Mr Banek's boating licence, which was suspended following the incident, was reinstated in June. A power boat skipper who targeted a century-old passenger ferry carrying Labor Party MPs as part of a protest against the party's offshore wind policy has been convicted and fined $500. Jared Luke Banek, 47, who previously pleaded guilty to interfering with the use of the Port Stephens waterway, indicated that he would appeal the sentence. Labor senator Deborah O'Neill, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and about 50 Labor party supporters were aboard the 102-year-old Wangi Queen in waters off Lemon Tree Passage to raise money for then Port Stephens mayoral candidate Leah Anderson on August 11 last year. Two federal police officers were also on board. A number of anti-wind farm protesters were in the vicinity when the ferry left the Lemon Tree Passage wharf at about 10.30am. Facts tendered to the court said Mr Banek attended the area to protest in his 17.5m power boat, Reel Issues. Mr Banek, who had three passengers on board, made the first of three passes of the Wangi Queen at 11.33am The first two passes created wakes of about a metre while the third wake was less than a metre. The skipper was forced to take evasive action on each occasion in order to minimise the wakes' impact. Several of those on board the ferry said they were alarmed as the vessel rolled when the waves struck. The Wangi Queen skipper contacted the water police following the first pass to complain about the conduct of Reel Issues and a number of smaller vessels that were swarming the vessel. Reel Issues was intercepted, and Mr Banek was spoken to. He was later charged with menacing navigation, reckless navigation and negligent navigation. Mr Banek pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were subsequently withdrawn in June. Instead, he pleaded guilty to the lesser, rarely used charge of operating a vessel in a manner that interferes with the use of waters under the Marine Safety Act 1998. The maximum penalty for the offence is a $5500 fine. Raymond Terrace Local Court heard on Thursday that Mr Banek was of prior good character and had held a maritime licence for 32 years. Seven references attested to his volunteer work in the community and involvement in maritime rescue operations. Despite that, Magistrate Gregory Moore said Mr Banek's actions towards Wangi Queen were not a trivial matter. "I do not regard it as trivial. I regard it as a serious example of this type of offending," he said. Mr Banek told the Newcastle Herald that he planned to appeal the sentence because an expert maritime report, which showed the Wangi Queen had not been placed in danger during the protest, had not been taken into account. "The truth is going to come out," he said. Mr Banek's boating licence, which was suspended following the incident, was reinstated in June. A power boat skipper who targeted a century-old passenger ferry carrying Labor Party MPs as part of a protest against the party's offshore wind policy has been convicted and fined $500. Jared Luke Banek, 47, who previously pleaded guilty to interfering with the use of the Port Stephens waterway, indicated that he would appeal the sentence. Labor senator Deborah O'Neill, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and about 50 Labor party supporters were aboard the 102-year-old Wangi Queen in waters off Lemon Tree Passage to raise money for then Port Stephens mayoral candidate Leah Anderson on August 11 last year. Two federal police officers were also on board. A number of anti-wind farm protesters were in the vicinity when the ferry left the Lemon Tree Passage wharf at about 10.30am. Facts tendered to the court said Mr Banek attended the area to protest in his 17.5m power boat, Reel Issues. Mr Banek, who had three passengers on board, made the first of three passes of the Wangi Queen at 11.33am The first two passes created wakes of about a metre while the third wake was less than a metre. The skipper was forced to take evasive action on each occasion in order to minimise the wakes' impact. Several of those on board the ferry said they were alarmed as the vessel rolled when the waves struck. The Wangi Queen skipper contacted the water police following the first pass to complain about the conduct of Reel Issues and a number of smaller vessels that were swarming the vessel. Reel Issues was intercepted, and Mr Banek was spoken to. He was later charged with menacing navigation, reckless navigation and negligent navigation. Mr Banek pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were subsequently withdrawn in June. Instead, he pleaded guilty to the lesser, rarely used charge of operating a vessel in a manner that interferes with the use of waters under the Marine Safety Act 1998. The maximum penalty for the offence is a $5500 fine. Raymond Terrace Local Court heard on Thursday that Mr Banek was of prior good character and had held a maritime licence for 32 years. Seven references attested to his volunteer work in the community and involvement in maritime rescue operations. Despite that, Magistrate Gregory Moore said Mr Banek's actions towards Wangi Queen were not a trivial matter. "I do not regard it as trivial. I regard it as a serious example of this type of offending," he said. Mr Banek told the Newcastle Herald that he planned to appeal the sentence because an expert maritime report, which showed the Wangi Queen had not been placed in danger during the protest, had not been taken into account. "The truth is going to come out," he said. Mr Banek's boating licence, which was suspended following the incident, was reinstated in June.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Respect never cost anything': PM defends China outcome
Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said. Anthony Albanese has hit back at the coalition over claims of "indulgence" during his China trip, saying his rivals don't understand the importance of respect in diplomacy. The prime minister's itinerary has included retracing the steps of Gough Whitlam on the Great Wall of China and a panda research centre in the southwestern city of Chengdu as his visit nears the end. Back home, the optics of visiting popular tourist sites attracted sniping from the opposition. Coalition frontbencher James Paterson suggested the prime minister was enjoying himself too much. "I do wonder whether a Gough Whitlam history tour on the Great Wall of China, whether a visit to Chengdu to pose with some pandas, and whether a hit of tennis is strictly necessary as part of a six-day visit to China, when there is so much else at stake in our other international relationships around the world," he told Sky News on Thursday. "And frankly, I have to say that some of this is starting to look a little bit indulgent." Mr Albanese has himself been eager to draw links between his tour and those of former Labor prime ministers Whitlam and Bob Hawke, who also visited the giant pandas in 1986. What those and his visits achieved was building respect between Australia and China, which would in turn result in better economic and diplomatic outcomes, he said. "Those pictures go to 27 million people, potentially, in Australia. They go to over a billion people in China," Mr Albanese told reporters in Chengdu. "And those billion people represent people who are increasingly rising up the income ladder and are potential tourists and therefore job creators in Australia. "If James Patterson doesn't understand that, then he doesn't understand much. "The Great Wall of China symbolises the extraordinary history and culture here in China, and showing a bit of respect to people never cost anything. You know what it does, it gives you a reward." Mr Albanese's trip has been shorter on concrete outcomes than in previous years, when his resumption of dialogue with China saw $20 billion worth of Chinese trade sanctions lifted from Australian exports. But the welcome has been warmer and coverage from Chinese state media more effusive than at any time since before the breakdown in Sino-Australian relations in 2020. A few agreements to boost trade and tourism links have been reached. But the increased dialogue and co-operation in areas from green steel to medical technology were part of a gradual improvement in relations that would advance Australia's national interests, Mr Albanese said. "You don't go from a position of where we were into absolute agreement on everything. That's not the goal." Despite the improving mood, China and Australia still have many issues they disagree on. In meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Mr Albanese raised concerns over China not providing advance notice of naval live-fire drills off Australia that forced commercial flights to divert. Meanwhile, Mr Li has voiced his dismay over Australia's stringent restrictions on foreign investment from China, imploring the Australian government not to treat Chinese firms unfairly. "We have different political systems, but it has been constructive and has been an important step in the developing of our relationship," Mr Albanese said.
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Spending addiction': Fears Labor government will reintroduce carbon tax
Sky News host Peta Credlin discusses the possibility of Labor reintroducing the carbon tax following former treasury secretary Ken Henry labelling it as the 'world's best' carbon policy. 'The Albanese government's so-called productivity summit is shaping up as a tax summit, and the one tax that seems to be gathering support – you guessed it – is the return of some sort of a carbon tax, Ms Credlin said. 'Now this is a government that's addicted to spending and addicted to union power; its union addiction means it can't address labour productivity, and its spending addiction means that it needs more and more revenue. 'It won't save the planet because any further cuts in emissions that we might secure here will be more than lost amidst the massive emissions increases coming from China and India as they strive to raise their people's standard of living.'
